Protective cover

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a cover for protecting the interior cooking surfaces of a container such as cookware, bakeware or serveware. The cover has a covering portion for covering the open face of the container. The covering portion includes a tie securing member which retains a tie that holds the covering portion stretched over the open face of the container, thereby securing the cover to the container with the covering portion spaced from at least one interior surface.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to protective covers. In particular, this invention relates to a protective cover for protecting containers such as cookware, serveware and bakeware when stored and not in use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is desirable to stack pots and pans and similar cookware, bakeware or serveware in a cupboard, sliding drawer, or other storage space so as to minimize the amount of storage space used. However, stacking such containers can cause damage due to abrasive and percussive interaction between stacked containers.

For example, the interior or cooking surface of a pot or pan may be scratched or abraded when another pot or pan (or anything else) is placed or stored on top of it or is removed from it. Many pots and pans now include non-stick coatings, such as TEFLON™ on their cooking surface. These coatings may be worn off by scratches and abrasions, such as those caused by repeated stacking and unstacking or shifting within pot and pan drawers, deteriorating the non-stick capability of the cookware. Hence, protecting the cookware against scratches or abrasions will extend the useful life of the cookware. Further, there has recently been concern raised by Government agencies as to the safety and efficacy of non-stick coatings. Given this concern, the ability to keep the surface intact and unscratched is desirable from both a cooking and a health standpoint. Specifically, concerns raised about cooking with scratched non-stick cookware and the possible consumption of non-stick coating in prepared foods, which might occur when scratched off pieces are unintentionally mixed with food from the cookware is hazardous to human health. Given this concern, the ability to keep the surface intact and unscratched is desirable from both a cooking and a health standpoint.

The benefits of a protective cover of the invention apply equally to cookware, bakeware and serveware products and the like, made out of stainless steel, ceramic, cast iron, enamel, etc., that can be scratched so as to becoming less functional and/or lacking in appearance. Additionally, the cover protects the interior of the container from dirt and dust.

A number of inventions have been directed towards protecting the interior or cooking surfaces against scratches and abrasion, many of which are directed towards protecting against scratches and abrasion which might occur when the cookware is shipped from a manufacturer to a retailer. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,508,768 to Kornely et al. issued Apr. 2, 1985, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a protective liner for vessels such as cooking pans, which have interior surfaces either natural or covered with thick, non-stick coatings. The liner is made of thin flexible material and has an edge section that grasps the rim of the vessel to be protected, while its bottom web section and spacer web section substantially cover the interior surfaces of the vessel. A protective liner according to the teachings of this patent must be manufactured to conform to the particular size and shape of vessel which with it will be used.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,048,688 to Hicks, Jr. issued Sep. 17, 1991, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a scratch prevention pan liner which in one aspect includes a monolithic body having a configuration conforming to the inner non-stick coated surface of the cookware. This configuration also requires specific manufacturing to conform to the particular size and shape of vessel which with it will be used.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,988,385 to Stephens issued Nov. 23, 1999, which is incorporated herein by reference, describes a frying pan protector which comprises a concave dish positioned between two stacked frying pans. This protector must also be manufactured to conform to the shape of frying pans with which it will be used.

Canadian patent no. 2,448,621 to Kyle issued Dec. 20, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference, teaches a cooking pan protector that uses a pocket configuration, comprising front and rear panels which enclose the entire piece of cookware. The front and rear panels are stretchable so as to accommodate varying sizes of cooking pans. The cooking pan protector uses a stitched seam at the edge of the cookware, which may be subject to continuous stress as the stretched front and rear panels pull against the seam.

Many of these prior art protectors must accordingly be manufactured to specific size and configuration requirements, restricting their use to a specific type or size of cookware and thus limiting their versatility. Moreover, while they protect the inner surface of the cookware from direct abrasion by a neighbouring object, since the protector itself contacts the cooking surface they do not prevent scratching from grit or other fine objects that may remain inside the cover when the cookware is stored.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In drawings which illustrate by way of example only a preferred embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cookware cover according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the cookware cover shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the cookware cover shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the cookware cover shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional elevation showing the cover holding supported items spaced from the cooking surface of the protected cookware.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention protects the interior, edges, and cooking surface of cookware, such as pots and pans and similar containers (e.g. lids, bakeware, serveware), from scratches and abrasions that may occur, for example, when pots and pans are stacked to maximize use of storage space. The present invention may be used with any cookware, bakeware or serveware that chips or scratches including those made of stainless steel, ceramic, cast iron, enamel, or similar materials. The invention will be described using cookware as an example, however it will be appreciated that the benefits of a protective cover of the invention apply equally to cookware, bakeware and serveware products and the like. The cover of the present invention is simple to use and may be applied using only one hand.

If the cookware has a coating, such as a non-stick coating on its surface, the present invention protects against deterioration of the coating by scratches and abrasions when in storage. The present invention also protects the interior surfaces of cookware against dust and dirt when in storage. A cover of the invention may also protect the bottom of cabinets and drawers from marking or scratches when the cover is applied to the bottom of the cookware item so as to act as an interface between the cookware item and the cabinet or drawer.

Use of the present invention enables consumers to extend the useful life of their existing cookware. Consequently, widespread use of the present invention may reduce waste by resulting in fewer cookware products being discarded once scratched due to becoming less functional, unsightly and potentially hazardous to human health.

Although useful in any environment, the present invention is especially beneficially employed in small kitchens, and in campers, recreational vehicles, and boats where a protective cover of the invention may also reduce or eliminate the noise of cookware rattling or clanking during travel.

The present invention preferably uses a moderately stretchable material that can be manually stretched for use with different sizes of pots and pans, but which retains its shape sufficiently to support one or more objects on the cookware spaced from the cooking surface. However, a non-stretchable material can alternatively be used.

The present invention offers several advantages over the prior art. A cover of the present invention may be used with pots and pans, serving vessels, lids, and other cookware, bakeware and serveware. A cover of the present invention also requires less fabric than prior art pan protectors which cover both sides of the pan. As a result, the present invention may be less expensive to manufacture. The present invention may be more durable and stronger than protectors which use a stitched seam to join panels, that may be subject to continuous stress during use as the stretched front and rear panels pull against the seam. The seam used in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is subjected to little or no stress once the cover is secured to the piece of cookware.

The invention thus provides a cover for covering an open face of a container to protect at least one interior surface of the container, comprising: a covering portion for covering the open face of the container, the covering portion comprising a flexible material; and at least one securing member affixed to the flexible material, for securing the covering portion over the open face of the container spaced from the at least one interior surface.

The invention further provides a method of protecting at least one interior surface of a container using a cover comprising a covering portion for covering an open face of the container comprising a flexible material, comprising the steps of: a. covering the open face of the container with the covering portion; and b. securing the material to retain the covering portion over the open face and spaced from the at least one interior surface; whereby an object placed on the covering portion is supported spaced from the at least one interior surface.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the preferred embodiment of the cover 10 comprises a covering portion 20 and a tie 50. The tie 50 may optionally be stretchable.

In the preferred embodiment, the covering portion 20 is made of an inexpensive, somewhat stretchable material such as a fabric, which can be stretched for use with many different shapes and sizes of pots and pans but has sufficient strength when stretched to support an ordinary kitchen object (such as one or more other pieces of cookware), as will be described below. The covering portion 20 is formed in substantially the same shape as the open face of the cookware 1, and thus may be circular, oval, rectangular, semi-circular or another shape, as required to cover the corresponding open face of the type of cookware 1 with which it is intended to be used.

In the preferred embodiment, a cotton-polyester blend of fabric may be used. As such, the fabric is machine washable. In the most preferred embodiment, a 80% cotton (by volume) and 20% polyester (by volume) blend is used. Other natural or synthetic fabrics, such as cotton, polyester, lycra, wool, any microfibre material, or blends thereof, may also be used. The fabric should be sufficiently strong to support an object that might be placed onto the covered cookware, spaced from the cooking surface, without tearing. The fabric is cut into the desired shape, for example round in the embodiment shown, and folded over to create an opening 30.

The covering portion 20 has a peripheral edge 32 which generally coincides with an edge of the cookware. The cover 10 includes a securing member, in the example shown a tie 50 secured in a sleeve 40 sewn onto or integral with the fabric. The sleeve 40 surrounds an opening 30 in the cover 10 into which the cookware 1 can be inserted. The sleeve 40 can for example be formed about the edge of the opening 30 by folding the edge of the cover material surrounding the opening 30 inwards and stitching it to the cover 10 in a conventional manner. Thus, a tie 50 such as a string, or a stretchable tie such as an elastic strap or band (cut to the appropriate size), may be inserted through the sleeve 40 and drawn to reduce the size of the opening 30. If an elastic band is used as a tie 50 it may be permanently tied together at its ends so as to bias the opening 30 to a small size, and in use the elastic band can be stretched to enlarge the opening 30 in order to insert cookware or the like into the opening 30. If a non-elastic tie 50 is used, its ends are tied together after the cover 10 has been positioned over a piece of cookware or the like.

In the preferred embodiment, the cover 10 can be used with cookware having a handle 80 (shown in phantom in FIG. 1). As such, the sleeve 40 may be interrupted by one or more notches 60 that allows one or more handles 80 of the cookware 1 to pass out of the cover 10. Alternatively, an aperture (not shown) may be formed at a point along the peripheral edge 32 of the covering portion 20, or positioned as otherwise appropriate for any particular type of cookware 1, to accommodate the handle.

The tie 50 extends through the tie-enclosing channel 40. If the tie 50 is elastic, its ends can be fastened together to form a loop with the sleeve 40 gathered or pleated in the rest position (as shown in FIG. 3), such that the opening 30 can be stretched open to insert the cookware 1 into the cover 10 for storage. It will be appreciated that the elastic tie 50 should provide sufficient tension to prevent inadvertent dislodgement of the cover 10, and in the preferred embodiment, to hold the cover 10 in a stretched position and prevent it from sagging under the weight of a typical supported object (such as another piece of cookware) to the point that it touches the internal surface (and particularly the cooking surface) of the cookware 1. In an alternate embodiment, a non-elastic tie 50 such as a string may be used, and its ends tied after the cookware 1 has been inserted into the cover 10, providing the same effect. In either case the tie 50 when secured holds the covering portion 20 over the open face of the cookware 1, the peripheral edge 32 of covering portion 20 being supported by the exterior edges of the cookware 1 when the cover 10 is in use, as shown in FIG. 5.

In some embodiments, the covering portion 20 may cover the exterior side wall of the cookware 1, and a portion of the exterior bottom of the cookware 1. The tension imparted by the tie 50 to the fabric holds the covering portion 20 in place.

In the use of the present invention according to the preferred embodiment, the handle 80 of the cookware is inserted through the notch 60 (for example, between the peripheral edge 32 of the covering portion 20 and the tie 50). Then the opening 30 is stretched open and pulled over the open face of the cookware 1, and the sleeve 40 is drawn over the exterior edge of the cookware 1 as far as it can go, to tension the covering surface 20. Where the tie 50 is elastic, the tension of the tie 50 causes the opening 30 to close around the bottom of the cookware 1; if the tie 50 is non-elastic, the user draws the tie 50 tight and ties the ends to hold the cover 10 to the cookware 1. Alternatively, snaps, Velcro™, buttons or other devices could be employed to close the opening 30 around the handle 80 of the cookware 1. The user may then stack cookware such as pots and pans, bakeware such as baking trays, or serveware such as bowls or platters, or place other objects, on the protected cookware 1, without damage from scratches or abrasions, even if the cookware shifts because the covering portion 20 holds the stacked object spaced from the interior (cooking) surfaces of the cookware 1, as shown in FIG. 5.

An embodiment of the present invention may also be applied to the undersides of cookware, bakeware or serveware to protect interior and exterior surfaces when stacked. In this embodiment the opening 30 would be over the open face of the cookware or the like, but would still serve the protective function of preventing scratching and would allow stacking of covered pieces in the manner described above.

Various embodiments of the present invention having been thus described in detail by way of example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variations and modifications may be made without departing from the invention. The invention includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A cover for covering an open face of a container to protect at least one interior surface of the container, comprising: a covering portion for covering the open face of the container, the covering portion comprising a flexible material; and at least one securing member affixed to the flexible material, for securing the covering portion over the open face of the container spaced from the at least one interior surface.
 2. The cover of claim 1 wherein the securing member comprises a tie.
 3. The cover of claim 2 wherein the tie extends through a tie securing member affixed to the flexible material.
 4. The cover of claim 3 wherein the tie securing member comprises a channel or sleeve formed in the material.
 5. The cover of claim 4, wherein the channel or sleeve is formed about a periphery of the material.
 6. The cover of claim 1 wherein the material is a fabric.
 7. The cover of claim 6 wherein the fabric is stretchable.
 8. The cover of claim 7 wherein the fabric comprises a cotton-polyester blend or microfibre material.
 9. The cover of claim 3 wherein the tie comprises an elastic material.
 10. The cover of claim 1, wherein the cover includes at least one opening for allowing at least one handle of the container to pass out of the cover.
 11. The cover of claim 1 wherein the container is cookware, bakeware or serveware.
 12. A method of protecting at least one interior surface of a container using a cover comprising a covering portion for covering an open face of the container comprising a flexible material, comprising the steps of: a. placing the cover over the container such that the covering portion covers the open face of the container; and b. securing the cover to retain the covering portion over the open face and spaced from the at least one interior surface; whereby an object placed on the covering portion is supported spaced from the at least one interior surface.
 13. The method of claim 12 wherein the cover comprises an elastic securing member and the step of securing the cover comprises stretching the securing member to enlarge an opening for insertion of the container.
 14. The method of claim 12 wherein the material is a fabric.
 15. The method of claim 14 wherein the fabric is stretchable.
 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the cover comprises at least one aperture for allowing at least one handle of the container to pass out of the cover and including, before step a., the step of inserting the handle through the aperture.
 17. The method of claim 12 wherein the container is cookware, bakeware or serveware. 